MUST KNOW German Noises & Filler Words!

Here are some of my MUST KNOW German filler words and noises! While living in Germany I was able to pick up on some of the common filler words native speakers make which is something really hard to learn when you are learning a language at home. From “und zwar” to oha and achso, many of these phrases or sounds are hard to explain the exact meaning of, but I hope that nevertheless this video will help you improve your German (and for me they help sounding less American!)


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Who am I?
My name is Montana Showalter, and I was a participant in the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange program in 2019-2020. I started my Youtube channel while living in Germany and continue to make videos on German vs American culture. I love finding aspects of German culture in the US as well as producing videos in German as practice! In the future, I hope to live abroad again :)

(This video was sponsored by lingoni)

[iankrauchweymann]

7:09 the "oder?" filler word can't be used after a question so you wouldn't say: "Kommst du mit? Oder?" You would say: "Du kommst mit. Oder?" which translates to: "You're coming as well aren't you?"
Hope it explains it a bit 🙂

[jupiter]

I wouldn't say that you can use 'und zwar' to connect two sentences per se... 'Und zwar' has one specific meaning, that whatever follows next will specify what was said before . E.g. : "Zum Streichen benutze ich immer eine bestimmte Farbe, und zwar rot ."

[SCXk]

You forgot to mention one of the greatest "filler" words in german language: "Tja".
Its hard to explain what it means which makes it so unique. It can mean something like "well thats the way it is." Basically describing moments and occurences that cant be changed or should be accepted. I am sure someone can explain it better but you could probably make a whole video about this word. :)

[TheSkinnyZ]

My input as a German is as follows: "Ow!" and "Ouch!" totally are understood in German as they exist here as well (Au! Autsch!). Same with "Ew!" imo. Most people know and will occasionally even use "Ew!".
"Und zwar" is kinda when you follow up on something you already alluded to, for example: Ich habe eine Idee und zwar... (I have an idea and that is...). It doesn't really exist in English, but I hope that makes the meaning a little clearer.
"Jein" is not very commonly used, at least where I live. People know it, of course, but it's not an every day word.
I think that's all. Hope it was helpful.

Edit: Oh, and "oder?" Is probably best translated with "right?". "Du kommst mit, oder?" = "You're coming too / along, right?".

[noniLaus]

I think the best way to directly translate "und zwar" is "and that is". If the teacher says: "Wir werden heute mit einem neuen Kapitel beginnen, und zwar Meeresbiologie." he means: "We will begin a new topic today, and that is marine biology."
Super interesting to hear your observations, since as native speakers we kinda forget that we make these sounds xD

[zappelfillip]

We wouldn't say "Kommst du mit, oder?". We only add the "oder" (literally "or" ) at the end of a question if the question is formulated as a statement and we then ask whether this is true or ask for confirmation. So then like this: "Du kommst schon mit, oder?" ("But you're coming along, aren't you?"). So it's not really a question. It more an assumption that "asking" for confirmation.

And "Ach Mann" isn't only a noise (like many other you had in the video). It's literally "oh man" and can be used the same like in English.

[a.b.]

"Achso" combines "ach" and "so" - ach is kind of expressing you're surprised, and "so" is a shortcut for "so ist das", or "so geht das". The whole story could be "Oh I am surprised - that's the way it goes!"

[andrewcram]

Thanks, Montana speaking correctly is the goal and this was helpful as a tool to sound more clear to a native speaker.

[rll]

My favorite word is "doch". You can use it in so many ways!
You can use it to express indignation or anger: "Das ist doch bescheuert!"
to contradict a statement: "Du warst nicht zu Hause!" - "Doch!"
or answer a question: "Kommst du nicht mit?" - "Doch!"
It's giving weight to a statement: "Pass doch auf!"
confirms an assumption: "Also warst du doch nicht zu Hause!"
expresses hope for approval: "Du kommst doch mit?"
or even surprise: "Du kommst doch mit? (slightly different emphasis than before. More stress on doch)
or can be used to ask for something you know, but can't remember at the moment: "Wie war das doch gleich?"

[th.a]

Montana, I can assure you that your ability to speak German is much better than level A2.

[cawaar]

Wenn ich mir was anhaue rufe ich „maaaannnn!!!“ 😂

[DerRoemer]

Hi! Ok, let’s go through the words.

1. First of all, you can also use “au!” and “autsch!” in German. It doesn’t matter what you use since you’re not thinking much in the moment you hurt yourself and just wanna communicate how much it hurts I guess. 🤣

2. The “Oha!” is true tho. We use that and I hate that word. It sounds so like…Idk 🤣

3. “Undzwar…” is kinda formal tho I don’t use it a lot in my day to day life. Only in an essay or something like that. A more fitting English translation would be “In fact…”

4. The “Ach Mann!” thing is true. Another one I don’t like. So I’m always using the English “Oh boy…” instead when I’m speaking German. 🤪

5. “Oder” is a very common word in German. We literally use it for everything. It’s also a river in Germany. 🤣🤣

6. I also use “Ewww…” But only in written Text. Don’t feel bad for using it. :)

7. “Jein” is true. We use it far too often. You would use it if you’re unsure and can’t decide. It doesn’t improve the situation tho. 🤣

Hope I could help. :)

[steffenheger]

It seems that the word "oha" has been introduced to the german language by Turkish speaking people which do make a good portion of residents in Germany and influence the spoken language quite a bit

[fruityliciousk]

'oder?' is like 'arent you?' at the end of a positive sentence
("youre going to school arent you?"/"du gehst zur schule oder?")

[emymmn]

With the und zwar:
You say like "I have to tell you something and that is…" I think that’s how I would translate it

[ingovb]

As usual a nice and jolly video, keep it going!
I think the meaning to close a question with 'oder' is slightly off. If you finish a question with a trailing ", oder?" you imply that you expect the answer to the question is 'yes'. It changes the meaning of "Willst Du ins Kino gehen?" from a neutral question (thus 'yes' and 'no' are acceptable without explanation) to a biased one "Du willst ins Kino gehen, oder?" (you strongly expect 'yes' to be the answer - and a 'no' would surprise you. Basically it puts the meaning / intention of the question somewhere between a meaningful question (with an unknown answer to the asker) and a rethorical question (which does not need any answer as everyone knows it).

[anonym]

I say, ,Au" a hundred times a day. When I hit my foot, my ellbow, when I stand up, or just move slightly I say short:, ,Au!" (charakters in childrens books will say, ,Aua", and my grandma uses sometimes:, ,Au weh!" but more in an Austrian dialekt)
Lg aus der Nähe Wien

[nothingspecialQ]

Instead of "ach Mann" you can also use "ach menno" oder nur "menno".in some regions. I live in NRW and this is very common here. But "oops" (German "ups") or "ouch" (German "autsch") are also very common here. Pronounced the same but written different ;-)

[kraftandre]

filler words in german are complicated.I would rranslate und zwar als and cause.Ach man is really common.
keep it up and stay safe.

[carldenig]

There is a clear difference between the German one learns in school or university, and what the man (especially the young man) in the street speaks. There is a certain fashion in words used (specific for a certain age group). In a way a selection, but often newly created words pop up out of nowhere. To become part of a certain incrowd, one "should know the words". This in addition of course to regional differences and all of the dynamic changes taking place incessantly. In short a wonderful project for your studies. (One other tip concerning writing in German: the use of punctuation!)